A registered charity that provides artists studios, exhibition space and public engagement with contemporary art in the heart of east Oxford

I recently was able to take a short-term rent of the MRS Project Space. As an Associate member I benefited from a lower fee than an outsider, but even so the rate is affordable. When you choose this option you gain 24h access to the studios, including evenings and weekends, and there is parking available.

A short term rent of the project space is a great compromise if you can’t afford, can’t get, or don’t need a full-time studio.

The Project Space is 18x20 sq ft with a high roof. There is a roller door that can be used to bring in and out large objects or materials. Screwing and pinning work onto the panel walls is allowed. There are sockets, a sink, heaters, a kettle, tables and chairs available.

The space is good for that occasion when you need to make large scale work, test an installation or experiment with something (within reason) messy. Or just to push yourself to a different level while meeting new artists!

I did 2 weeks, inclusive of the weekends. I got out of my comfort zone, which meant that new and surprising work emerged. Working with fewer materials made for greater innovation.

My time limit heightened my concentration and made me use the space to its full advantage. I treated it as a sort of DIY residency and my work has been on fast track since then.

I met other full-time studio artists at MRS which was great for conversation and art news.